So far my experience with braces has been the following:
Well summer 04 I got all the x-rays and information.
From about November 04 - February 05 at various different times getting a top and bottom retainers(that could be taken out) then having my bottom retainer replaced with a wire. During this time they forgot to tell me to stop turning my bottom retainer and so my teeth got all spread out and gappy, but after having it out for a week or two they got back together.
Late February got braces on my top teeth.
Recently (August) I got my top retainer replaced with a rick-a-nator (which appears not to be so popular due to limited online information which makes me a little bit worried) cemented into my mouth. Also got brackets on four of my bottom teeth and the joy of wearing elastics. I thought the retainers were bad until now.
I haven't had much happen but oh well. This process suppose to take 2 and a half years. So I'm going to be here awhile.

And I just want to note that from the posts I've seen so far, everyone seems so inviting, helpful and really nice!